Mississippi State was able to close out the regular season by winning two of its final three games and has some momentum.

Now the Bulldogs will try to carry that positive energy into the Southeastern Conference Tournament this week with an inexperienced roster.

"I'm excited about the opportunity for our team to go out and compete in the SEC Tournament," said MSU head coach Rick Ray. "It's always good when you get a chance to go out and play another game of basketball. That's the way I want our guys to look at this opportunity. Obviously you've got the first game against South Carolina but then beyond that, just getting a chance to go out and play basketball again. I think any young man who comes out to play college basketball wants the opportunity to continue his season. This gives them an opportunity to do that."

MSU has had success against South Carolina this season. The Bulldogs won the SEC opener in Starkville 56-54 on Jan. 9 and fought back in Columbia last week down 22-points in the second half but still fell short 79-72.

"It's been proven that South Carolina can beat us," Ray said. "But it's also been proven that we can beat South Carolina."